Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Escondido, CA (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Escondido

California
163

Amarillo is 94% cheaper than Escondido.

$1,049/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$1,922/mo ↑ 83%
$62,469/yr ↓ 26%
Median Income
$84,477/yr ↑ 35%
$186,800 ↓ 72%
Home Value
$663,500 ↑ 255%
$1,074/mo ↓ 47%
Owner Costs
$2,022/mo ↑ 88%
200,945
Population
149,913

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Escondido, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 163 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $873/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $10,476/year.

Median household income is $22,008/year higher in Escondido. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $663,500 in Escondido.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Escondido — common questions

Is Amarillo or Escondido cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Escondido?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Escondido it's $1,922/month — a difference of $873/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Escondido?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $84,477 in Escondido. Median household income is $22,008/year higher in Escondido.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Escondido?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Escondido has a cost index of 163 with rent of $1,922/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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